Walmart Streaming Movie Service VUDU Coming to Apple TV on August 22

[star_nerdy]

Walmart has a streaming service .....wow...

It's actually not bad. You can pay $2-$5 for digital copies of your dvds.

It's kinda nice. I went to my parent's place and scanned some of my favorite movies, spent like $20 and got 10 movies that would have cost me $100 or more had I bought them in iTunes.

 

[dugbug]

How do you get that? I don't on tm tuesdays anymore.

They had one two weeks ago I think

 

[SupaDav03]

Which ones have digital copies only with 4k blu-rays?

I meant like WB movies. If you buy the 4K bluray of Wonder Woman, you only get a UV redemption option for the bundled digital copy. Not being able to access ths file natively on my ATV was always a detractor. Most times I'd end up skipping the physical copy & buying digital only knowing this. Now it will be less of an issue.
[doublepost=1502832186][/doublepost]

Most studios prefer Vudu over iTunes.

I think Universal is the only one right now then let's you redeem for both (and disney).

Fox is either.
WB is only UV

Sony is UV only too.

 

[reallynotnick]

Vudu's UHD Dolby Vision with Atmos audio is pretty damn awesome. Sure it's no 4K UHD disc and I hope they at least bump the bitrate up a little over time, but it really is an awesome at home experience. Also really dig the concept of UltraViolet, I just wish someone like Apple or Google would jump on the bandwagon, but I doubt that will ever happen as there is too much money to be had in their walled garden. At least having Vudu on Apple TV is a good step in the direction.

 

[CaneCollegeboy]

Vudu is the Itunes counter part and honestly it is kicking ass. The prices are better, they have 4K, they let you turn your physical copies into digital copies for a fee. They even have extras like itunes. The only real advantage Itunes has is some movies are in english and spanish tracks unlike Vudu which is english. Right now the only way to stream Guardians of the Galaxy 2.0 is via Vudu

 

[pokerplayer73]

I never thought I'd be happy for Walmart news, but here we are!

Well crud. All the movies that I had via Cinema Now, and supposedly linked to UltraViolet, aren't showing up in VuDu. I am considerably less thrilled now. Thanks Bestbuy.

I don't know if this helps. I bought Life of Pi from amazon with Digital HD, but never registered for it. Some time later, the link printed in the blu-ray sleeve was inaccessible(404), so I couldn't register for it at that time. The expiry date mentioned was in the past, so I thought it was a no go. Then, I saw the Redeem UV link on Vudu and entered the code there, and it was accepted. Maybe, you can try that for your movies.

 

[Eminemdrdre00]

Vudu is great, but let's hope they give the UI some polish. This is what their app looks like on all the other major platforms:

 

[JRobinsonJr]

It's actually not bad. You can pay $2-$5 for digital copies of your dvds.

It's kinda nice. I went to my parent's place and scanned some of my favorite movies, spent like $20 and got 10 movies that would have cost me $100 or more had I bought them in iTunes.

I too am looking forward to that! Hopefully it will be fully integrated into the  "TV" app so all of my purchases - regardless of source - appear as available to watch! I'm not counting on that one though...

 

[pokerplayer73]

Amazon Prime Videos and Vudu were 2 notable exceptions for me, which necessitated the use of Roku instead of Apple TV. Seems bot will be on Apple TV in a couple of months. Great news!!!

 

[ActionableMango]

Will the 4K Apple TV support Dolby Vision?

According to the HomePod firmware leak, yes.

 

[SupaDav03]

Vudu is the Itunes counter part and honestly it is kicking ass. The prices are better, they have 4K, they let you turn your physical copies into digital copies for a fee. They even have extras like itunes. The only real advantage Itunes has is some movies are in english and spanish tracks unlike Vudu which is english. Right now the only way to stream Guardians of the Galaxy 2.0 is via Vudu

I don't really know about all that. Prices are pretty similar. Both services routinely have new releases at $14.99 or $19.99. Both have sales often. iTunes has several movies to purchase for $4.99 every week, as well as the "build your collection" movies for under $8 consistently. New selections go into those categories pretty often. As for streaming Guardians 2, it's available for purchase and to be watched streaming on ITunes right now. Google play too. Can't be rented on any of the services yet, including Vudu.

 

[JRobinsonJr]

I don't really know about all that. Prices are pretty similar. Both services routinely have new releases at $14.99 or $19.99. Both have sales often. iTunes has several movies to purchase for $4.99 every week, as well as the "build your collection" movies for under $8 consistently. New selections go into those categories pretty often. As for streaming Guardians 2, it's available for purchase and to be watched streaming on ITunes right now. Google play too. Can't be rented on any of the services yet, including Vudu.

One other factor in Vudu's favor: The wider range of available UltraViolet (UV) codes for purchase. Yes, I buy the iTunes codes, but the selection is limited compared to UV. The ability to get movies for $1.95-$5.95 on a regular basis is good.

Note that I would prefer to have all of my purchases available in a single data-store, but unless/until Apple gives me the "Disc to Digital" capabilities... that's not going to happen.

From my perspective the *BEST* of all worlds solution would be for Apple to join UV such that iTunes Movies /  TV / etc. becomes nothing more than another front-end option. No more need for Vudu, or even better... competition drives down prices and improves services!

 

[garylapointe]

Vudu is great, but let's hope they give the UI some polish.

It's going to look like this

https://blog.vudu.com/someones-having-a-big-monday-were-just-having-a-monday/

 

[Aluminum213]

Why aren't you supporting iTunes movies?

Simple, vudu is now on just about every device to stream

iTunes movies will always lock me into Apple device for use

 

[Coffee50]

It's actually not bad. You can pay $2-$5 for digital copies of your dvds.

It's kinda nice. I went to my parent's place and scanned some of my favorite movies, spent like $20 and got 10 movies that would have cost me $100 or more had I bought them in iTunes.

So how does this work? What do I have to do to get the digital copies? I primarily get my digital movies from Itunes, but I'm in the process of streamlining & decluttering & have some old blu rays that I was going to part with.

If I can get a digital version of these (and then use with the new app), that could be cool.

 

[CaneCollegeboy]

I don't really know about all that. Prices are pretty similar. Both services routinely have new releases at $14.99 or $19.99. Both have sales often. iTunes has several movies to purchase for $4.99 every week, as well as the "build your collection" movies for under $8 consistently. New selections go into those categories pretty often. As for streaming Guardians 2, it's available for purchase and to be watched streaming on ITunes right now. Google play too. Can't be rented on any of the services yet, including Vudu.

I ment in 4k. They are not perfect but I do feel they are better than the iTunes and I’m an Apple fan. They do have faults, right now they are not doing 4k movies in hdr 10 but in Dolby Vision. If you have a television that supports Dolby Vision it’s great but unfortunately Samsung and Sony have not as of this moment.

 

[JuliusCaesar]

Vudu is great, but let's hope they give the UI some polish. This is what their app looks like on all the other major platforms:

This. This is the main reason why I don't use VUDU, their UI is horrendous. Their iPhone app looks like it was designed in 2007 when the original iPhone came out.

 

[OTACORB]

This is great news! I had dozens of movies that I did the upgrade to HD.. glad I will be able to watch them on my Apple TV. If we could get Amazon my TV viewing will be completely on Apple TV.

I have no issues with the UI... it gets the job done!

 

[garylapointe]

So how does this work? What do I have to do to get the digital copies? I primarily get my digital movies from Itunes, but I'm in the process of streamlining & decluttering & have some old blu rays that I was going to part with.

If I can get a digital version of these (and then use with the new app), that could be cool.

Scanner in the app checks the barcode, GPS makes sure you're at the address that matches your billing address. Sometimes it's doesn't match the extended or director's cut (I think sometimes it does when it shouldn't).

It's worked for most of my older movies. (I don't buy newer ones, I wait until they are older and cheaper)
$2 for Blu-ray to HD, $2 for DVD to SD, $5 for DVD to HD.
Some of the HD (technically HDX) versions come with extras.

When you buy them, it also puts them in your ultraviolet library.

https://www.vudu.com/in_mobile_disc_to_digital.html

This. This is the main reason why I don't use VUDU, their UI is horrendous. Their iPhone app looks like it was designed in 2007 when the original iPhone came out.

Seriously? It's the interface that you don't see when actually watching something that stops you??

Here's the new interface https://blog.vudu.com/someones-having-a-big-monday-were-just-having-a-monday/

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Apple does not prevent 3rd party services from selling content within their app. There are other streaming apps that sell content within their apps right now. Apple takes a cut, which is NOT the same as PREVENTING.

Of course the SIZE of the cut can be the same as preventing since Apple is known to take theirs "right off the top." If there's not enough left over or if it's basically a wash or loss, it's almost the same as "preventing" (by basically pricing them out of being interested in being there).

"We" almost always frame this as the other guys fault (plotting against Apple, not wanting to work with Apple, looking out for their own hardware, etc) but we almost never share the idea that maybe it's Apple that stands in the way of some deals getting done... by demanding too much.

 

[JuliusCaesar]

Scanner in the app checks the barcode, GPS makes sure you're at the address that matches your billing address. Sometimes it's doesn't match the extended or director's cut (I think sometimes it does when it shouldn't).

It's worked for most of my older movies. (I don't buy newer ones, I wait until they are older and cheaper)
$2 for Blu-ray to HD, $2 for DVD to SD, $5 for DVD to HD.
Some of the HD (technically HDX) versions come with extras.

When you buy them, it also puts them in your ultraviolet library.

https://www.vudu.com/in_mobile_disc_to_digital.html




Seriously? It's the interface that you don't see when actually watching something that stops you??

Here's the new interface https://blog.vudu.com/someones-having-a-big-monday-were-just-having-a-monday/

Yes internet friend, I just can't take an ugly interface design, and why should they keep it like that? It looks like an abandoned app. But, with the link that you provided, I see that they are definitely improving, that's good.

 

[garylapointe]

Of course the SIZE of the cut can be the same as preventing since Apple is known to take theirs "right off the top." If there's not enough left over or if it's basically a wash or loss, it's almost the same as "preventing" (by basically pricing them out of being interested in being there).

"We" almost always frame this as the other guys fault (plotting against Apple, not wanting to work with Apple, looking out for their own hardware, etc) but we almost never share the idea that maybe it's Apple that stands in the way of some deals getting done... by demanding too much.

I agree, but it's generally worded like Apple doesn't allow them to actually do it or it's an iOS limitation.

Apple wants 30% for digital products. They don't want to pay it. So they don't add the feature. It's a choice they make.

Some vendors choose to do it, some don't. I'd think the ones that do, think it's worth the constant discount if they get the ecosystem.

I think Apple has been making deals discounting that cut for some vendors (HBO or Netflix?) and I'm assuming they'll do more as time goes on. Maybe something like 30% for the first few months, but 10% for renewals? No clue, just guessing...

 

[mmm1345]

OMG!!!! This is my dream! Give me a 4k ATV and this becomes the PERFECT Streaming Box - especially since Amazon is also coming at the end of the year. This will be the first Streaming Box that has Every service I want on one. And I'll have my large Vudu AND iTunes Collection in one spot

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I agree, but it's generally worded like Apple doesn't allow them to actually do it or it's an iOS limitation.

Apple wants 30% for digital products. They don't want to pay it. So they don't add the feature. It's a choice they make.

Some vendors choose to do it, some don't. I'd think the ones that do, think it's worth the constant discount if they get the ecosystem.

I think Apple has been making deals discounting that cut for some vendors (HBO or Netflix?) and I'm assuming they'll do more as time goes on. Maybe something like 30% for the first few months, but 10% for renewals? No clue, just guessing...

Again, I richly understand how it can be framed as a "choice" in defense of Apple. What if one of these players doesn't have 30% of the revenues to share with Apple? Is it still a "choice" to NOT be on TV or shall they just lose money because the lack of sufficient profit margin is no excuse for them?

And yes, I also know about the well-rumored Netflix "special deal" with Apple that apparently got them a hefty discount off the norm. So if I'm also a big player like Amazon or Vudu, do I want to accept Apple's normal deal or get the same discount they gave to Netflix? Is that me being the bad guy for not enriching Apple at the full deal or is that Apple being the bad guy for playing favorites?

The point is that it's quite possible that both Vudu and Amazon just held out because they are villains wanting to stick it to Apple by NOT making all the money they could have made from Apple people via a presence on TV. Or one can recognize the illogic of that and then "think different" about why those players are basically about everywhere else but only just now making it to a very popular STB like TV where a lot of added revenue can be realized? Sure, it could be that they are simply villains. Or it could be because they want a comparable deal they can live with. Which seems plausible? (rhetorical: they have to be villains, as Apple cannot possibly have any hand in the delay in pursuit of more money for Apple. It MUST be the other players.).

 

[sageguy]

Walmart's streaming movie service VUDU will be available on Apple TV starting on Tuesday, August 22, following the official launch of the new VUDU app, reports Variety.

With the launch of a dedicated Apple TV app, VUDU users will no longer need to AirPlay content from an iOS device in order to watch VUDU content on the Apple TV.

VUDU first confirmed work on an app for the fourth-generation Apple TV in March, so the app has been in development for some time. Prior to the announcement of an Apple TV app, a VUDU engineer said the company had not been able to develop an app because of Apple's policies preventing third party services from selling movies within their apps.

The current VUDU iOS app adapts to those restrictions by allowing users to download movies and TV shows that have been previously purchased on the VUDU website, and the Apple TV app presumably works in the same way.

VUDU allows customers to rent and purchase a wide range of movies and television shows, including new releases, and it offers services like a disc to digital conversion, digital copies of Blu-rays and DVDs purchased within stores, and free ad-supported movies. VUDU is already available on a range of other platforms, like Roku, Chromecast, consoles, and more.

Article Link: Walmart Streaming Movie Service VUDU Coming to Apple TV on August 22